Clinical Experiences on Computer Access by Eye Gaze for Persons with Severe Motor Disabilities and Communication Difficulties

摘要

Persons with severe motor disabilities and communication difficulties often benefit from computers to manage independent daily living. To achieve this, the person might need special computer access solutions and today there is a range of equipment and software that can be useful. Some persons with very limited motor function might have their best or only voluntary function in eye movements. Using eye movements as an access method for low as well as high tech communication might be the only way for these persons to communicate, participate in and carry out activities independently [1]. In the COGAIN-project2 (Communication by Gaze Interaction) the regional AAC and assistive technology-team of western Sweden; DART, has carried out user trials with eye gaze technology for four years. The trials have focused on persons with communication needs, in combination with severe motor disabilities, in the age span of 3 to 63 years [2]. For the majority of the persons, an eye gaze system has been the only possible computer access. Several of them have been given the opportunity to get an eye gaze system for communication and other are in the process of assessment.